Page 73 of A Scoring Chance

Although the location of our date has changed, the date itself can still be easily executed. There’s no need for her to dress up or anything. The black jeans and long-sleeved Timberwolves shirt she wore to the game tonight are perfect. She may need to add a coat or hoodie to the ensemble, but that all depends on how her body reacts to the cold.

“Nope. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”

Her cheeks pink slightly as she swats at my chest. “Cooper, I’m being serious.”

“So am I. Just make sure you’re dressed warmly.”

“Still not planning on giving me a hint?”

Beauty has been trying to get any hints about our date for the last week, but I haven’t fallen for one. This time isn’t any different. Much to her dismay, I love surprising her. I’ve become addicted to the way her whole face lights up in delight when I do something for her, no matter how small it is.

She gives so much of herself to take care of Darius and her ma that she rarely thinks of herself. And now she has me. I may never be the most important person in her life, and rightfully so, but I can make sure that she remembers how special she is. I never want her to forget that there’s someone out there in the world who’s always thinking about her.

“Nope.” Her nose crinkles in the cute little way it does when she doesn’t get her way, and I laugh. “I'll see you when I get back.”

“Can I just meet you there? If something happens to Darius…” Her teeth worry her bottom lip, her eyes flicking back and forth as her mind races.

I know there’s nothing I can say that will make her stop worrying, but I don’t want her to think I don’t care. “Nothing is going to happen to him, but if it does, there’s no way you are getting rid of me. I’m just as concerned about him as you are, Beauty.”

Her eyes fill with tears as she pushes up on her toes, kissing my chin. “Thank you for putting up with all of this.”

“All of what? You’re worried about him and want to be close in case something happens. How can I fault you for that? Besides, I’d put up with anything to be with you.”

Her entire body melts into my arms as I pull her into my chest, my arms tightening around her waist. I want to be her rock, her strength whenever she needs someone to be there just for her. And after tonight, I have a feeling she might just let me.

“Now get out of here before I change my mind.” Beauty giggles, stepping out of my embrace.

“See you soon, Beauty,” I say over my shoulder before strolling out of the house and to my truck. The second I climb in, I find the number I’m looking for and make the call.

“Change of plans. How quickly can you get to Redwood Falls?”

I got everything arranged and ready to go in about thirty minutes, giving me just enough time to run back to Momma’s house to shower and tidy up some, not that there was much to be done. Momma keeps a very clean house, so the only place I really had to clean was my room.

My truck comes to a stop outside Ramona’s place exactly sixty minutes after I left. Ramona is standing on the front porch with a bright smile on her face. She comes jogging toward my truck, flinging the door open before I can stop her.

“You’re supposed to let me come to the door like a gentleman,” I say as she climbs into the truck, leaning over to plant a kiss on my cheek before buckling her seat belt.

“I would’ve, but I was under strict instructions not to let you back inside.”

“From who?”

“Ma. She changed and washed her face. No man is allowed to see her looking like that, not even her future son-in-law. Those are her words, not mine.”

“That’s the second time you’ve made a comment about that today. Are you against marriage or something?” I ask, pulling out of her driveway and heading toward the first stop for tonight's date.

To me. I want to add that short phrase to my question, but I don’t want to freak her out. I’m not ready to get down on one knee and propose right now, but I’d be lying to myself if I deny the fact that I’ve thought about it. There is finally something just as important as hockey and my family in my life.

“Of course, I want to get married. Every girl dreams of what her wedding day would be like at an early age.”

“Okay…” I allow my words to trail off, trying to find the right thing to say. How do I explain why I need some clarification from her?

“It's just that—I don’t want to freak you out—our mothers won’t stop saying we are going to get married someday. We only just started dating a month and a half ago after a chance meeting on the side of the road.”

My eyes flick toward Ramona as I turn onto the familiar road leading to The Chill Zone. The glow of the streetlights filters through the window, illuminating the cab just enough for me to make out the features on her face. Her plump bottom lip is pulled between her teeth, and her eyebrows are pulled down in concentration as she wrings her hands in her lap. She’s nervous, that much is obvious, but there’s something else there: fear.

“That reminds me, I still owe Bluebell some apples.” I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

“Bluebell has gotten enough apples from me. She doesn’t even miss the apples you promised.”

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